Quinoa Blueberry Salad

This past weekend, I hosted a 30th Birthday party for my wonderful husband in our backyard.  I wanted to make a side dish that was healthy, delicious, and complemented barbecue food well.  I think this was a hit!

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 1 1/2 c. Quinoa
• 3 c. Blueberries (fresh)
• 1 c. Parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 c. Scallions (chopped)
• 8 oz. Feta (crumbled)

For the Dressing

• Zest from 1 Orange
• Juice from 1 Orange
• 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Freshly Grated Ginger

Instructions:

• The night before you plan on serving, bring 3 cups of water and the 1 1/2 cups of quinoa to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed.  Fluff with a fork and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, put the quinoa in a large bowl.  Add the blueberries, parsley, scallions, and feta
• Whisk together the dressing, pour over the salad, and toss to coat.

 

Blueberry, Banana, Almond Baked Oatmeal

No matter the season, oatmeal is always one of my go-to items for breakfast.  When I prepare ahead, the concoctions I make can usually be eaten hot or cold, so depending on the day, I may warm it up, or keep it chilled.  This particular mixture tasted AWESOME cold, and since it was 90 degrees all week, I ate it that way all week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Steel Cut Oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• ¼ cup Sliced Raw Almonds, divided in half
• ½ tsp. Baking Powder
• ¾ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• Pinch of Salt
• ¼ cup Agave Nectar
• 1 cup Coconut Almond Milk (I used Blue Diamond, unsweetened)
• ¼ cup Egg Substitute (I use Better n' Eggs)
• 2 tbsp. Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 3 Ripe Bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup Blueberries, divided
• 2 tbsp. Flax Seeds
• 2 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. 

3.  Mix the oats, almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

4.  In a small bowl, combine agave, milk, egg beaters, butter, and vanilla

5.  Slice the bananas, and spread in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish.  Top with half the blueberries

7.  Pour the dry ingredient mixture over the fruit evenly

8.  Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

9.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and almonds over the top.

10.  Bake  35-40 minutes, until top is browned and oats set.

I sliced this into 5 portions and brought them to work with me every day last week.  YUM